THANKSGIVING  SERMON, 

PEEACHED  BY  THE 

KEY.  J.  M.  CRAWFORD, 

IN  THE  FIELD  BEFORE  PETEPvSBURGH,  VA., 

Nov.  27th,  1864. 


GLEN'S  FALLS,  N.  Y.: 

BY  NOEMAN  COLE,  "MESSENGER"  OFFICE. 
1865. 


Headquarters  93d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  ) 
Near  Petersburg,  Va.,  Nov.  27,  1864.  J 

Bev.  James  M.  Crawford,  Chaplain  of  the  9Sd  Reg't.  N.  T.  S.  Vols.  : 

Chaplain  : — The  undersigned  took  great  pleasure  in  listening  to  your  Thanksgiving  discourse 
this  morning.  It  so  nearly  expresses  our  sentiments  that  we  respectfully  request  a  copy  for  pub- 
lication and  preservation. 

We  are,  Chaplain,  your  Friends  and  fellow  Officers, 

B.  C.  Butler,  Lt.  Col. 
Geo.  Bushnell,  Capt.  98d  N.  Y.  Vols. 
Jay  H.  Northup,  Capt.  " 
(Signed)  David  H.  King,  1st  Lt. 

Charles  F.  Myer,  Ist  Lt.  " 
John  W.  Godden,  Ist  Lt.  " 
John  M.  Conine,  1st  Lt.  " 
Elias  p.  Newton,  1st  Lt.  " 
H,  GiFFORD,  Adjt.  " 
Thos.  p.  Fuller,  Quartermaster. 


Hd.  Qrs.  93d  Reg't  N.  Y.  V.,  ) 
Camp  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  Nov.  28th,  1864.  J 
Gentlemen  : — Yours  of  the  27th  inst.  is  received.    In  reply  I  have  to  say  that  my  Thanks- 
giving discourse  was  hastily  written,  without  any  view  to  publication.    But  in  compliance  with 
your  request,  I  send  you  the  manuscript  with  its  many  imperfections. 

I  am,  very  truly,  Your  ob't  serv't.  J.  M.  Crawford, 

Chaplain  93d  Reg't  N.  Y.  V. 

To  Col.  B.  C.  Butler  and  others,  Officers  in  93d  Reg't  N.  Y.  V. 


THANKSGIYmG  SERMON. 


"7^  Lord  reigneth ;  let  the  earth  rejoice.^^ — ^Psal.  97-1. 


We  have  many  things  for  which  to  be 
thankful — ^as  individuals— as  a  regiment 
— as  members  of  a  great  commonwealth. 
As  individuals,  we  have  reason  to  thank 
the  great  Creator,  and  bountiful  Benefac- 
tor, for  our  lives,  our  health  of  mind  and 
body.  "  For  in  Him  we  live,  and  move, 
and  have  our  being."  I  trust  there  are 
none  here  present,  but  who,  at  times,  re- 
cognizes the  great  truth  that — "  The 
hand  that  formed  us  is  divine."  Would 
to  God  !  that  this  truth  might  stimulate 
us  to  glorify  God,  "  which  is  the  chief 
end  of  men."  Yes,  my  hearers,  the  chief 
aim  and  design  of  God  in  making  man, 
was  that  we  might  glorify  him.  But 
alas !  how  often  have  we  come  short. — 
Of  none  of  us  can  it  be  said,  that  we  per- 
form our  whole  duty.  Yet,  may  it  not  be 
said  of  all,  that  we  might  do  a  great 
deal  better  than  we  do  ?  True,  I  admit 
that,  in  our  own  strength  we  can  do  noth- 
ing that  is  right  in  the  sight  of  God ; 
but  he  has  promised  us  strength  to  per- 
form our  duties  to  Him,  and  to  resist 
the  temptations  of  this  evil  world.  This 
strength  comes  to  us  through  the  media- 
tion of  his  son  Jesus  Christ.  Some  of 
you  refuse  to  receive  this  strength  from 
God  through  Christ.  Some  of  you  are 
in  the  habit  of  profaning  his  sacred  name. 
Does  it  ever  occur  to  you  in  the  midst  of 
your  vile  blasphemies  that  you  are 
"treasuring  up  to  yourselves  wrath 
against  the  day  of  wrath,  when  Christ 
comes  to  judge  the  world  ?"  "  Thou 
shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  they 
God  in  vain;  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold 
Mm  guUtlesfis  that  taketh  his  name  in 


vain."  You,  who  are  guilty  of  this  sin- 
ful practice,  have  reason  to  be  thankful  to 
God  that  he  has  not  cut  you  down  in  the 
midst  of  your  profanity,  and  consigned 
you  to  endless  woe.  I  do  not  speak  of 
this  particular  sin  to  reproach  you ;  but 
with  the  hope  that  you  may  be  induced 
to  give  up  this  unholy  practice.  O,  that 
it  may  not  be  a  vain  hope.  Profanity  is 
the  crying  sin  of  our  army,  and  it  is  sui*r 
prising  that  we  have  been  as  successful 
as  we  have.  It  is  because  God  is  long- 
suflfering,  and  plenteous  in  mercy.  And 
we  are  but  instruments  in  his  hands  to 
accomplish  his  work,  l^oiie  of  us  can 
plead  not  guilty^  before  God,  of  some  sin- 
ful practices  deserving  of  his  wrath  and 
condemnation.  Let  us  then,  as  individ- 
uals, rejoice  that  "  The  Lord  reigneth." 
It  is  beause  He  reigneth  and  not  man, 
that  we  are  not  consumed. 

Again,  as  a  regirnent,  we  have  reason 
to  rejoice  that  "  The  Lord  . reigneth." — 
The  record  of  events  show  that  our  reg- 
iment has  been  in  many  engagements 
with  the  enemy,  since  the  3d  of  .  May 
1864.  And  while  the  casulties  of  our 
regiment  approximates  Jive  hundred^ 
quite  a  number  of  us  still  live,  to  share 
in  the  honors,  which,  like  a  halo  of  glory, 
surrounds  the  Union  soldier.  Does  it 
not  become  us,  as  a  regiment,  to  render 
thanks  to  God  for  his  great  goodness  to- 
ward us  ?  While  we  lament,  the  loss  to 
us,  of  our  companions  in  arms  ;  and  drop 
the  tear  of  friendship,  when  we  recur  to 
the  ties  broken  by  their  untimely  death ; 
or,  think  of  their  shattered  frames  ren- 
dering them  cripples  for  life;  let  m  IxJoii 


4 


up  to  him.  who  reigns  on  high  with  feel- 
ings of  gratitude,  that  no  stain  has  been 
brought  upon  our  regiment,  by  coward- 
ice, or  faltering  zeal  in  our  devotedness  to 
the  cause  we  are  endeavoring  to  sustain. 
Let  us  resolve  that  our  regiment  shall 
stand  as  high  on  the  principles  of 
morality,  as  it  does  for  bravery. — 
And  let  us  look  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
who  reigns  on  high,  and  exercise  living 
faith  in  him,  so  that  he  may  become  our 
"  Immanuel,  God  with  us." 

Again — as  a  Nation^  we  have  cause  to 
rejoice  that  "  The  Lord  reigneth."  And 
1st,  Let  us  review  the  j)ast  history  of  this 
nation.  By  the  wise  ordering  of  Provi- 
dence, this  country  was  opened  up  to  the 
people  of  the  Old  World — the  Eastern 
Continent,  at  a  time  when  an  asylum  was 
needed  as  a  resort  from  the  religious  per- 
secutions of  a  deluded  people.  Men 
were  constrained  to  fly  from  their  native 
land,  and  seek  refuo-e  in  the  wilderness, 
that  they  might  worship  God,  according 
to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience. 
Though  they  were  subjected  to  many 
hardship  and  severe  trials,  yet  God  pro- 
tected them  from  immeasurable  evils 
which  surrounded  them,  as  he  had  done 
the  children  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness. 
Although  exposed  to  the  inclemencies  of 
a  vigorous  climate,  surrounded  by  ruth- 
less savages;  that  all-seeing  eye,  and 
strong  arm  of  Almighty  God  watched 
over  and  protected  those  who  had  forsak- 
en houses  and  land,  that  they  might  ren- 
der God  service,  as  they  believed  the  re- 
vealed will  of  God  called  u|)on  them  to 
do.  And  when  unjustly  taxed  and 
shamefully  treated  by  those  who  should 
have  fostered  and  nourished  them  ;  God 
enabled  them  to  throw  ofi"  the  yoke  of 
bondage  which  threatened  to  grind  them 
down  to  the  earth.  After  a  long  and 
bloody  war,  the  invaders  of  our  land 
were  driven  out.  The  Kepublic  of  the 
United  States  arose  out  of  the  midst  of 
confusion  and  tyranny,  which  threatened 
to  subject  the  people  of  this  land  to  per- 
petual vassalage.  The  propriety  of  the 
people  of  this  country  engaging  in  a  rev- 
olution at  that  time,  must  be  conceded  by 
any  one  who  will  duly  consider  the  griev- 


ances to  which  they  were  subjected.  On 
the  fourth  of  July  lYYO  a  Declaration  of 
Independence  was  promulgated  to  the 
world,  declaring,  "That  all  men  were 
created  equal;  that  they  are  endow- 
ed by  their  Creator  with  certain  un- 
alienable rights ;  that  among  these  are 
life  and  liberty,  and  the  pursuits  of  hap- 
piness. That  to  secure  these  rights,  gov- 
ernments are  instituted  among  men." — 
What  a  noble  declaration  !  To  all  lands 
a  free  invitation  went  forth  to  the  down- 
trodden and  oppressed,  to  hasten  to  our 
shores  and  enjoy  freedom  from  all  op- 
pressions. 

But,  at  the  time  this  declaration  was 
made,  a  black  cloud  hung  over  our  fair 
land,  in  the  shape  ol  human  bondage. — 
Some  of  our  forefathers  saw  it,  and 
would  gladly  have  put  forth  all  their  en- 
ergies to  dispel  it.  But  deeming  that 
"  prudence  was  the  better  part  of  valor" 
at  this  critical  period ;  and  that  nothing 
should  be  thrown  in  the  way  of  that  har- 
mony between  the  colonies  ;  so  essential 
to  success  in  the  cause  in  which  they  had 
embarked ;  the  clause  which  related  to 
the  abominable  trafiic  in  human  beings; 
and  which  was  contained  in  the  original 
draught  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence ;  as  one  of  the  grievances  of  which 
they  com|)lained,  was  stricken  out ;  on 
the  supposition  that  when  our  govern- 
ment had  become  free  from  the  interfer- 
ence of  foreign  powers ;  and  was  firmly 
established ;  reason  and  humanity,  guid- 
ed by  Christianity,  v/ould  bring  about 
just  results.  That  it  may  be  under- 
stood by  all,  what  were  the  feelings  of 
those  men  who  draughted  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  in  regard  to  slav- 
ery, I  will  quote  from  the  original  draft, 
their  views  on  that  subject.  The  commit- 
tee appointed  to  prepare  the  Declaration 

of   Independence,  Jelferson,  Adams, 

Franklin,  Sh-erman,  and  Livingston,  ex- 
pressed their  views  in  regard  to  slavery 
as  follows.  Alluding  to  the  King  of 
Great  Britan,  they  wrote :  "He  has 
waged  a  cruel  war  against  human  nature 
itself,  violating  its  most  sacred  rights  of 
life  and  liberty  in  the  persons  of  a  dis- 
tant people,  who'  never  offended  him, 


5 


captivating  and  carrying  them  into  slav- 
ery in  another  hemisphere,  or  to  incur 
miserable  death  in  their  transportation 
thither.  This  piratical  warfare,  the  op- 
probrium of  Infidel  powers,  is  the  war- 
fare of  the  Christian  king  of  Great  Brit- 
ain. Determined  to  keep  open  a  market 
where  Men  should  be  bought  and  sold 
he  has  prostituted  his  negative  for  sup- 
pressing every  leo-islative  attempt  to  pro- 
hibit, or  to  restrain  this  execrable  com- 
merce. .  And  that,  this  assemblage  of 
horrors  might  want  no  fact  of  cTistin- 
guished  dye,  he  is  now  exciting  those  very 
people  to  rise  in  arms  among  us,  and  to 
purchase  that  liberty  of  which  he  has  de- 
prived them,  by  murdering  the  people  on 
whom  he  also  obtruded  them,  thus  paying 
off  former  crimes  committed  against  the 
Uherties  of  one  people  with  crimes  which 
he  urges  them  to  commit  against  the 
lives  of  another."  When  the  original 
draught  of  the  Declaration  was  submit- 
ted to  the  representatives  of  the  people 
assembled  to  pass  upon  it,  this  clause  was 
stricken  out.  But  enough  was  adopted 
to  show  that  they  considered  the  people 
of  all  lands,  and  of  all  colors,  equally  de- 
serving of- protection  by  the  civil  govern- 
ment ;  and  entitled  to  the  privilege  of 
worshing  God  according  to  the  dictates 
of  their  own  conscience,  provided  it  did 
not  interfere  with  the  rights  of  others. 
A  solemn  compact  was  entered  into,  call- 
ing on  God  to  witness  their  faithfulness 
in  carrying  out  the  Declaration  they 
had  made.  Their  language  is, — "  We, 
therefore,  the  representatives  of  the 
United  States  in  o-eneral  Cono-ress  assem- 
bled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of 
the  world  for  the  rectitude  of  our  inten- 
tions, do,  in  the  name  and  by  the  author- 
ity of  the  good  people  of  these  colonies, 
solemnly  publish  and  declare  that  these 
United  Colonies,  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  free  and  independent  States." — 
And  closed  the  Declaration  by  saying — 
"  And  for  the  support  of  this  declaration, 
with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  protection  of 
Di^'ine  Providence,  we  mutually  pledge 
to  each  other  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and 
our  sacred  honor."  Here  was  a  solemn 
vow  to  God,  that  if  he  would  aid  them 


in  throwing  off  the  yoke  of  Great  Britain, 
they  would  faithfully  carry  out  the  de- 
claration they  had  made  in  reference  to 
civil  and  religious  liberty.  Those  obliga- 
tions entered  into  at  that  time  by  the  rep- 
resentatives of  the  colonies,  which  were 
then  and  there  formed  into  a  republic ; 
were  not  only  binding  upon  them  and 
those  they  represented,  but  upon  all  who 
should  ever  become  citizens  of  this  re- 
public, and  upon  all  lands  where  its  boun- 
daries should  extend.  Having  made  this 
solemn  vow  to  God,  they  continued  the . 
war  with  Great  Britain,  and  were  suc- 
cessful.  in  driving  the  invader  out.  God 
seems  to  have  accepted  of  the  vow  made 
by  our  forefathers,  and  He  watched  over 
and  protected  our  republic  in  its  infancy. 
When  the  war  broke  out  between  Great 
Britam  and  the  American  colonies,  there 
was  not  the  least  possible  chance,  hu- 
manly speaking,  for  those  colonies  to 
maintain  their  independence.  And  I  hes- 
itate not  to  say,  that  had  not  God  fought 
their  battles  for  them,  they  never  could 
have  succeeded.  God  delivered  this  re- 
public from  traitors  at  home,  and  from 
the  foreign  foe.  Thus  did  h^  grant 
the  request  made  for  deliverance. — 
In  recurring  to  these  events  does  it  not 
become  us  to  rejoice  that  "  The  Lord 
reigneth." 

But,  how  was  the  vow  fulfilled  that 
was  made  by  our  representatives  in  Con- 
gress assembled?  When  our  beloved  land 
became  free  fi'om  the  trammels  of  a  foreign 
power,  men  were  found  in  our  land  that 
disregarded  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, "  that  all  men  were  created  equal ; 
and  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  cer- 
tain unalienable  rio-hts,  that  amono-  these 
are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happi- 
ness"— who  disregared  the  warnings  of 
good  and  wise  men — who  disregarded 
the  divine  command  "  to  do  unto  others 
as  ye  would  that  they  should  do  unto 


you. 


And  instead  of  abolishino-  human 


bondage,  they  continued  to  traffic  in  this 
unhallowed  means  of  gain.  The  laws 
that  have  been  passed  by  different  slave 
states,  controlling  slavery,  are  of  the 
most  detestable  and  infidel  character ; 
forbidding  under  several  penalties  the 


6 


teaching  of  the  colored  people  to  read  and 
write — withholding  from  them  the  Bible, 
God's  blessed  book — giving  the  master 
supreme  control  of  the  persons  of  those 
born  on  his  plantation,  or  purchased  with 
filthy  lucre — the  marriage  relation  total- 
ly disregarded  ;  husband  and  wife 
torn  from  each  other's  embrace — their 
children  taken  from  them — female  chas- 
tity prostituted  —  in  many  instances 
ces  men  trafficking  in  their  own  blood. — 
By  allowing  this  great  evil  to  continue 
in  our  land  we  disregarded  the  solemn 
vow  made  to  God.  Although  liviug  in 
this  known  sin — in  open  violation  of  what 
we  had  covenanted  to  perform — God 
had  permitted  our  nation  to  grow  into  a 
gigantic  structure — to  rank  high  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  But  our  God 
is  a  just  God,  and  although  he  may  long 
forbear  to  administer  retribution  on  the 
workers  of  iniquity,  yet,  if  they  persist 
in  their  iniquitous  doings,  judgements 
are  sure  to  come.  Our  nation  was  guilty 
before  God  in  allowing  this  traffic  in  hu- 
man blood  to  continue  in  our  land ;  and 
his  judgments  came  upon  us.  Those 
who  have  been  the  more  immediate 
workers  in  this  iniquity  seem  destined  to 
the  greatest  punishments.  God  is  pun- 
ishing them  severely.  His  wrath  seems 
kindled  against  them.  He  has  "sent  them 
strong  delusions  and  they  believe  the 
lie."  Like  Pharaoh,  King  of  Egypt,  they 
have  become  hardened  in  their  hearts ; 
and  like  him  they  will  probably  perish. 
Ethiopia  has  stretched  out  her  hand  to 
God.  He  has  heard  the  cry  of  the  down- 
trodden race.  He  has  bent  his  bow  and 
the  shafts  of  death  fly  thick  and  fast 
among  his  enemies.  The  Sunny  South 
where  they  have  lived  at  ease,  and  fared 
sumptuously  every  day,  at  the  expense 
of  human  blood,  exulting  exclaiming 
"  Cotton  is  Ki7ig^''  seems  destined  to  be 
the  place  of  their  execution.  And  not  on- 
ly are  those  who  are  the  more  immediate- 
ly implicated  in  this  great  sin  of  slavery, 
undergoing  the  punishment  of  an  angry 
Jehovah ;  but  those  also  who  have  wink- 
at  this  monstrous  iniquity,  have  been 
made  to  feel  the  chastisements  of  God. — 
Many  families  throughout  the  entire 


length  of  our  land,  have  been  called  upon 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  some  near  and  dear 
ones,  stricken  down  by  the  missiles  of 
death,  or  laid  low  by  the  destroying  pes- 
tilence. And  the  end  is  not  yet. — 
Doubtless  many  more  will  be  made  to 
bite  the  dust.  We  have  broken  our 
vow  to  God,  and  he  is  exacting  the 
pledge.  We  pledged  our  lives^  and  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  them  have  been 
sacrificed.  We  pledged  our  fortunes, 
and  many  millions  have  been  taken  from 
us.  We  pledged  our  honor  which  at 
times  has  been  nearly  obscured.  Many 
have  been  led  to  quake  with  fear  lest  our 
nation  should  become  extinct.  I  have 
strong  hopes  that  such  a  catastrophe  will 
not  come  upon  us.  The  cloud  of  thick 
darkness  which  has  brooded  over  our 
land  is  being  removed.  "  The  Lord 
reign eth,"  and  as  a  nation  we  may  rejoice. 
To  my  mind  there  has  been  an  overruling 
providence  clearly  manifested  in  the  af- 
fairs of  this  nation.  God  overrules  all 
things  for  his  own  glory.  But  it  seems 
to  me,  that  any  one  who  will  take  a 
common  sense  view  of  things  that  have 
transpired  in  our  country  for  the  last  few 
years,  he  can  clearly  see  that  a  higher 
power  than  man  has  been  directing 
events.  We  have  been  repeatedly  warn- 
ed to  put  away  this  evil  of  slavery  from 
among  us.  But  while  other  lands  far 
less  enlightened  than  ours,  have  freed 
their  slaves,  we  have  nurtured  and  sus- 
tained slavery.  For  thirty  years  or  more, 
our  nation  existed  on  compromises.  Com- 
promises with  Satan.  In  league  with 
hell.  Doubtless  the  majority  of  the 
voters  in  this  country,  for  many  years, 
have  been  convinced  that  slavery  as  it 
has  existed  in  the  United  States,  was  an 
abomination  in  the  sight  of  God.  But 
instead  of  coming  up  manfully  to  the 
work  of  blotting  out  this  great  evil — in- 
stead of  obeying  the  laws  of  God  and 
the  convictions  of  conscience ;  we  have 
disregarded  God's  law — we  have  consid- 
ered our  own  ease,  and  onr  own  posses- 
sions of  more  importance  than  the  glory 
of  God.  Instead  of  i)aying  our  vows  to 
God  we  went  on  in  sin,  violating  those 
obligations.   And  now  we  are  reaping 


the  reward  of  onr  fool-hardiness.  Gk)d 
will  be  glorified  in  man,  whether  man  is 
willing  or  not.  He  can  make  the  wrath 
of  man  to  praise  him.  He  will  glorify 
his  power  and  justice  upon  some,  and  his 
grace  and  mercy  upon  others  of  Adam's 
ramily.  The  people  of  the  South  seem 
to  have  been  given  over  to  the  most  fatal 
delusions.  They  became  blind  with  rage, 
and  rushed  madly  on  to  destruction.Being 
long  kept  from  an  attempt  to  overthrow 
the  best  civil  government  that  ever  exist- 
ed on  earth,  by  compromises ;  they  at 
length  rejected  all  compromises,  deter- 
mined to  rule  or  ruin  our  nation.  The 
national  government  tried  to  maintain  its 
existence  and  uphold  slavery.  What 
was  our  success  under  such  a  policy  ? — 
Disaster  followed  disaster — the  Capitol 
of  our  nation  came  near  falling  into  the 
hands  of  traitors — jealousies  existed  be- 
tween leaders  of  our  armies.  And  to  help 
on  the  confusion  a  political  party  arose 
in  the  North,  styling  itself  the  "  peace 
party,"  sympathizing  with  the  rebels, 
and  stimulating  them  in  their  infatuated 
course.  The  peace  called  for  by  these 
so-called  peace  men,  was  not  a  peace  on 
any  equitable  basis,  but  such  a  peace  as 
the  greatest  rebel  might  dictate.  Who 
ever  heard  of  making  peace  with  rebels 
on  their  own  terms,  while  there  was 
power  existing  to  punish  the  rebels  ? — 
buch  a  course  of  action  would  be  contra- 
ry to  both  reason  and  revelation.  When 
satan  rebelled  in  heaven  he  was  cast 
down  to  hell.  When  Adam  rebelled  in 
paradise  he  was  thrust  out.  When  Ko- 
rah  rebelled,  and  attempted  to  overthrow 
the  regular  order  of  priesthood  as  estab- 
lished by  God,  he  was  destroyed  and  all 
those  engaged  with  him  in  the  conspira- 
cy. When  the  Jewish  nation  rebelled, 
and  crucified  the  Lord  of  Glory,  dreadful 
calamities  visited  them ;  J erusalem  their 
holy  city  was  destoyed,  and  many  of 
the  inhabitants  perished  by  famine,  pesti- 
lence, and  the  sword ;  and  the  residue 
were  banished  hither  and  thither  over 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

These  so-called  peace  men  throughout 
the  North,  occupy  a  position  similar  to 
that  of  the  torm  in  the  war  with  Eng- 


land. When  any  move  has  been  made 
that  had  a  tendency  to  abolish  slavery, 
their  anathemas  have  been  thundered 
forth  with  terrible  vengeance.  You 
doubtless  remember  the  great  hue  and 
cry  that  was  raised  when  the  order  of 
G^n.  Fremont  was  promulgated  in  Mis- 
souri; and  was  only  appeased  by  the 
Chief  Magistrate  revoking  the  order. — 
And  thus  it  has  been  when  the  "  peculiar 
institution"  has  been  assailed.  At 
length  the  President  saw  the  necessity  of 
abolishing  slavery  and  issued  a  procla- 
mation of  emancipation.  Thus  placing  a 
lever  under  the  so-called  Southern  Con- 
federacy that  threw  it  into  great  convul- 
sions, like  that  caused  by  a  mighty  earth- 
quake, and  bade  fair  to  overthrow  it,  and 
with  it  the  institution  of  slavery.  Then 
the  indignation  of  these  peace  men  knew 
no  bounds.  They  at  first  attempted  to  turn 
the  President's  proclamation  into  ridi- 
cule ;  comparing  it  to  a  wandering  comet 
or  a  pope's  bull.  But  finding  it  a  more 
fonnidable  thing  than  could  be  demolish- 
ed by  such  means — finding  that  it  was 
the  greatest  gun  that  had  been  fired 
since  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  ; 
resounding  as  it  did  from  Canada  on  the 
North,  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  the 
South — from  the  Atlantic  on  the  East  to 
the  Pacific  on  the  West — thence  rever- 
berating,  its  clear  notes  were  heralded 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  the  re-echo 
came  back  from  the  Old  World  like  the 
voice  of  many  waters,  filling  the  hearts 
of  loyal  citizens  in  our  land  with  sensa- 
tions of  hope  and  joy.  Such  being  the 
case,  these  so-called  peace  men  determin- 
ed to  bring  all  their  logic,  and  every  de- 
vice they  could  imagine  to  render  it  inef- 
fective if  possible.  The  President  was 
attacked  in  the  most  vehement  manner; 
being  denounced  as  a  traitor  and  an  abo^ 
Utionist,  The  latter  term  being  consid- 
ered by  them  the  worst  appellation 
known  in  our  language.  Yet  notwith- 
standing all  this  our  noble  President 
having  taken  a  decided  stand  on  the 
slavery  question  moved  on  unswervingly, 
regardless  of  the  vile  maledictions  which 
were  hurled  at  him.  From  the  first 
enunciation  of  Mr,  Lincoln's  proclama^ 


8 


tion,  our  cause  has  been  gaining  ground. 
And  the,  triumphant  victory  of  the  Union 
men  in  our  land  at  the  recent  election,  in 
which  slavery  was  the  test  question,  as- 
sures us  that  the  heart  of  this  great  na- 
tion has  returned  to  a  healthy  state  of 
action  on  this  subject.  It  will  have  a  ten- 
dency^to  dishearten  rebels  in  arms ;  and 
serve  as  a  merited  rebuke  to  those  who 
have  secretly  connived  against  our  gov- 
ernment. The  "  greatest  general  in  the 
world"  is  reported  to  have  said,  that, 
"the  Southern  Confederacy  is  a  mere 
shell;"  and  soon  we  may  expect  this 
wicked  rebellion  shall  be  crushed,  and  the 
Star  Spangled  Banner  shall  wave  over 
the  entire  land.  Then  with  joyful  hearts 
we  will  return  to  Our  homes.  May  God 
speed  the  day.  Let  us  then  as  a  nation 
rejoice  that  "  The  Lord  reigneth." 

Li  conclusion — let  me  say  to  you  as  in- 
dividuals— stand  firm  a  little  longer. — 
Become  as  devoted  to  your  God  as  you 
have  been  to  your  country,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  its  honors,  which  you  have  attain- 
ed as  soldiers  for  your  country,  you  will 
be  entitled  to  those  higher  honors  in  the 
upper  sanctuar}^. 

Let  me  say  to  you  as  a  regiment — 
,  stand  firm  a  little  longer.  To-day  is  the 
anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  93d 
Keg't  N.  Y.  S.  V.  Three  years  have 
rolled  aromid  since  its  formation.  And  in 
every  position  it  has  occupied,  you  have 
acquitted  yourselves  with  honor.  Your 
gallant  deeds  have  been  heralded  through- 
out the  land;  and  the  memory  of  the  93d 
will  long  be  retained  by  future  genera- 
tions.   Let  me  say  to  you,  in  the  lan- 


guage of  Gen.  Jackson,  "  Trust  in  God/ 
and  keep  your  powder  dry." 

As  members  of  a  great  commonwealth 
— let  me  say  to  you — stand  firm  a  little 
longer.  Let  us  adopt  the  motto  of  the 
dying  Lawrence,  "  Don't  give  up  the 
ship,"  "  Don't  give  up  the  ship."  Hav- 
ing committed  our  cause  to  God,  let  us 
go  on  fearlessly  confident  of  victory.  If 
God  be  for  us  we  have  no  cause  to  fear 
all  those  who  may  rise  up  against  us. — 
Though  the  shij)  of  State  may  be  sadly 
disabled,  and  the  American  Eagle  in  a 
drooping  condition,  if  we  do  our  duty 
relying  on  the  God  of  battles  for 
guidance  and  direction  the  noble  ship 
will  weather  the  gale,  and  with  the  Star 
Spangled  Banner  waving  at  the  mast- 
head, and  liberty  for  our  pole-star,  we 
will  sail  into  23ort  amid  the  joyful  accla- 
mations of  the  down  trodden  and  oppress- 
ed of  every  land.  Let  not  the  hawk- 
eyes  of  kingly  powers  that  are  upon  us, 
terrify  us.  Let  us  resolve  that  hing  cotton 
shall  have  no  more  dominion  over  us,  but 
looking  to  King  Jesus  as  the  captain  of 
our  salvation,  let  us  stand  up  manfully 
for  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice.  The 
cause  of  truth  and  justice  will  triumph, 
though  scheming  men  in  the  North  and 
armed  rebels  in  the  South  array  all 
their  vile  machinations  against  it.  Let 
the  Britisn  lion  roar  and  pray  upon  our 
commerce,  a  day  of  reckoning  is  coming  ; 
and  woe  be  to  them  who  have  conspired 
against 

"  The  land  of  tlie  free, 
The  home  of  the  brave." 


